A devastating collision between a passenger bus and a lorry near Nandyal district in Andhra Pradesh turned deadly when both vehicles burst into flames, killing three people late Thursday night. The bus, carrying 36 passengers from Nellore to Hyderabad, suffered a catastrophic tire failure, leading to the crash.
According to district police, the front right tire of the private bus exploded around 1-2 a.m., sending the vehicle careening across the median into the path of an approaching lorry. The high-impact smash triggered fires that reduced both to charred husks, snarling traffic for hours.
Heroic efforts by police and nearby locals saved all passengers. They smashed windows and pried open doors amid the inferno, ensuring everyone was pulled out. Four individuals with minor bone injuries were rushed to Nandyal Government Hospital for care.
The fatalities included the bus driver, lorry driver, and its cleaner, whose bodies were retrieved post-fire and sent for autopsy. Investigation teams are probing if the blaze stemmed from the collision’s friction or electrical issues like a short-circuited battery.
This tragedy highlights persistent dangers on national highways, where tire bursts and speeding remain common culprits. Officials urge drivers to prioritize vehicle inspections, and police have filed a case to determine negligence factors. Normalcy returned to the route after clearance operations.